not personally, but i have sailed to get around, and the people i sailed with had a few trans-atlantic trips under their belt.

You do get a sense of having reallytravelled the distance, none of that disorientation of jumping on a plane in one continent and waking up on another. Its a true adventure and its really satisfying. At the same time a trans-at is, i think, about 6 weeks sailing, and about 4 weeks of that there's no landfall. Zip zilch nada. Do not underestimate the boredom/cabin fever factor of sailing. Of course if you're thinking cargo ship, its quicker and theres a lot more space and stuff to do. But i say go for it!

3.
Posted byJase007(Travel Guru 8870 posts) 11y
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Well, i've sailed, well on a boat anyway across the North sea, and the Atlantic.

Last year i spend about four months at sea for work and I love it. Taking in everything from a morror pond to 20m swell and waves.

It's a fantastic way to travel, (as long as you don't suffer from sea sickness).

4.
Posted bycruisegirl(Respected Member 244 posts) 11y
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I've spent 3 years at sea, and I love it.

Crossed the Atlantic twice...once was across the top...stopping along the way in Greenland and Iceland. The second time was a direct trip from Portugal to St Maarten. That's really something for a true sailor...lol. I was on a 300-ft sailboat and we hit tropical storm "Delta" on the way. Not all crossings are wicked like that, but be aware that it can happen. And the cabin fever is really something to contend with. Same 4 walls, same people, same scenery....all water. No birds, no planes...NOTHING. It took us 13 days to get across, and I've never been happier to have my feet back on land. I've got plenty of stories to tell, but I'll never do it again!!!

I've heard that taking cargo ships is an economical way to go, and its the faster way. Many of the major cruise lines cross as well while repositioning for summer/winter cruises. A lot of them are crossing from the Caribbean to Europe for the summer right about now. Big ships take about 4 or 5 days, smaller ships take about 2 weeks.

It does take a lot of the shock of time change away, but it's not for everyone!!

Same 4 walls, same people, same scenery....all water. No birds, no planes...NOTHING.

Haha - when i was at sea for a month there always seemed to be one bird hanging around above us. We called him Pedro and he was our friend.... I used to talk to him when i was on watch.....thats what cabin fever does to you!